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Monday, 28 July 2014

We have a new format at House Of Cards, we still have a monthly theme, but now our cards styles are all run for the whole month so you have more time to join in.
This month is 'Add A Bow'. I bought some airmail style ribbon in my local craft shop and then built the card around it.
The backing paper is actually wallpaper, a small sample from a well known DIY shop, it's a collage of old maps which helped with my vintage theme.
Next came a free digi from Free Vintage Digital Stamps, printed on blue paper. The ship is then surrounded by airmail washi tape from Papermania. I cut it in half so as not to waste any hidden under the picture.
The bow is pleated rather than tied as I thought it looked a little more masculine that way. It is stitched together with a small gold anchor sewn in the middle that used to be part of a button.
Please come and play along at HOC, now we have a whole month in which you can create and link up.

Wednesday, 23 July 2014

We have a new challenge at The Male Room this week, we would like to see something with a geometric design on it. As we are a multicraft challenge that could be a card, a scrapbook page or a gift, anything with a masculine slant to it and a geometric theme.
I have used a rubber stamp that I've had for some time, I really liked it but never got around to using it.....until now. I have stamped two squares on black card and embossed in white, then one square on white embossed in black.
It didn't look right on a white card or a black card so I chose to go with half and half. Lucky for me I had some tiny peel off corners in my stash in both black and white. I often use peel offs for corners as in the past I've managed to stamp three great corners and one bad one, this way they're all good!
A sentiment didn't suit the card atall, so I've left the front free of words. It will be a good 'just in case' card with only the inside to add whatever occasion is needed.
Please pop over and take a look at the DT inspiration, I'm sure you'll see something to spark your imagination.

Friday, 18 July 2014

I have made frames with chocolate boxes before but this time I wanted to try the aluminium tape method which lends itself to a masculine style so well.
It was a struggle to eat the chocolates just to get the box (NOT) but I managed it. I cut the lid to make the recess as before, see here, and used Spellbinder dies Cogs to cut thin chipboard shapes that are glued to the frame.
At this stage I took it with me to visit my parents, Dad was very ill so it gave me something to do while sitting with him. We have always been a crafting family so he was not atall bothered by this. He would now be very pleased to see the finished item but sadly he is no longer with us. The cat was called Sprocket and he is happily toasting his bottom on the warm radiator of Dad's pride and joy, a series one long wheel base Landrover. So this is a tribute to a wonderful Father, a great hunting cat and an amazing piece of machinery, sadly only the Landrover is still running but living elsewhere now.
The aluminium tape is cut into smallish strips and added to the frame, being small pieces makes it easier to manage. Joins in the tape have some small dents in them made with a ball tool to look like rivets, the ball tool is also used to work the tape gently around the chipboard shapes. The last stage is to cover the frame with black acrylic paint and then rub some off again so the frame is not so shiny.
These frames are easy to make and as they are recycled boxes you don't feel quite so bad about emptying them in the first place!!
I would like to say a big THANK YOU to all my Design Teamies for helping me through this last month, things will slowly return to normal now. Crafting is a great way to unwind and a lovely community to be involved with.

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About Me

I've been crafting for as long as I can remember, thanks to the encouragement of my family. I'm a freelance demonstrator and designer based in Norfolk, UK. I am also on a few design teams and get to work for some great suppliers in craft shops and at shows.